Susan Sarandon Says Vocal Palestine Support Amid Gaza Conflict Has Led to Loss of Film Roles, Revealing Ongoing Backlash in Industry

Susan Sarandon opened up about losing movie roles because of her vocal support for Palestine amid the harrowing Gaza conflict.

Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, she noted, “In terms of the power structure, I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still.”

The actress further stated that even though she feels like “the narrative has completely changed in terms of the historical relevance of Palestine and the ties of zionists with America in our politics,” the power players in the industry are still trying to punish her for her political views.

“That has been a major revelation for people: how much money the United States gives to Israel; nobody really understood that,” she added.

However, she didn't let it deter her from calling out Israel over the past couple of years for the country's actions in Gaza.

“But that’s the power structure, I think, within the people; certainly internationally, I feel welcome,” she acknowledged.

The recent press conference she attended, where she shared her experience, was primarily centered on her new film, The Echo Chamber.

The 79-year-old plays a singer-songwriter named Ava in the movie. The film follows her journey as she hires a music producer with past drug abuse problems for her comeback album.

The movie was directed by Andrea Pallaoro, and Sarandon made sure to thank him for not “listening to the warnings” from people in the industry trying to boycott her from working in movies.

“I’ve found my family, I’ve found my people, and I’m ok,” she added.

The Oscar-winning actress previously landed in the middle of a controversy due to her remarks at a pro-Palestine rally in New York.

“There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country,” she said at the time.

Following the remarks, she was dropped by her talent agency, UTA, in 2023.

She posted an apology in December of that year via Instagram addressing the matter.

“Recently, I attended a rally alongside a diverse group of activists seeking to highlight the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for a ceasefire. I had not planned to speak but was invited to take the stage and say a few words,” she wrote.

“Intending to communicate my concern for an increase in hate crimes, I said that Jewish Americans, as the targets of rising antisemitic hate, ‘are getting a taste of what it is like to be Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence.’ This phrasing was a terrible mistake, as it implies that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution, when the opposite is true. As we all know, from centuries of oppression and genocide in Europe to the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, PA, Jews have long been familiar with discrimination and religious violence, which continues to this day,” she continued.

“I deeply regret diminishing this reality and hurting people with this comment. It was my intent to show solidarity to the struggle against bigotry of all kinds, and I am sorry I failed to do so,” she added in conclusion.